Course summary
Societal and political developments increasingly require professionals with expert knowledge in land and nature restoration. We equip graduates with the skills and expertise to navigate competing interests and identify options for the optimal use of our limited land resource. The MSc Restorative Land Management and Rural Surveying is the only Masters programme of its kind in Scotland and is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Knowing how to restore and manage our limited land-based resources in a socially just and economically viable manner is essential for us, as a society, to address the triple crises of climate change, food security, and biodiversity decline. This degree gives you a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of the current land crunch (the competition for limited land resources); approaches to restoring land, soil, habitats and ecosystems; and supporting sustainable futures for rural communities. It will also teach you the skills needed to manage the inevitable trade-offs as not every outcome can be delivered from the same piece of land. You will gain a solid grounding in different land use sectors such as agriculture and food production, forestry and game management, renewable energy and tourism, and conservation and rewilding. You will also develop an understanding of social, economic, and regulatory mechanisms underpinning behaviour change, equipping you to negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes. Graduates will be ideally suited to contribute to driving energy transitions relating to land management, in particular the deployment of wind, water, biomass and geothermal technologies. While studying this programme you will:
- Critically examine examples of restorative land management in uplands (especially peatland), regenerative farming and changed management regimes in overgrazed pasture, reforestation in degraded landscapes, wetlands and river restoration
- Study the impact of species re-introduction, learn practical ecosystem restoration techniques, and learn how to go about restoration in a manner sensitive to the livelihoods and economic activities of place-based communities
- Gain skills in the valuation of assets (land, natural capital, infrastructure), the financing of restoration work, the planning and management of rural businesses, and incentives and barriers in the policy context
Modules
Highly qualified and motivated teaching staff will help you learn, including experts with considerable practical experience and leading practitioners in the field. A variety of teaching and assessment methods are used. All courses involve lectures, seminars and project work although the relative balance varies as you progress through the programme. Courses typically involve two hours of lectures each week, supplemented with tutorials or workshops. There are half-day and whole day field trips to farms, forests and estates, as well as a 5-day residential field visit to the Highlands during which students visit examples of innovative land management in practice and complete assessments similar to those likely to be undertaken in professional practice.
Assessment method
Courses are assessed via coursework and formal examinations. There are two dates of examinations: December and May, normally four courses examined at each time. As you progress greater emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge and skills, project work increases and examinations are fewer. Projects focus on local estates, rural businesses, and farms and are designed to incorporate the types of task expected in the workplace.
How to apply
International applicants
When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
Entry requirements
2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth. Motivation and understanding of this degree is an important factor in securing admission. Your personal statement/statement of purpose should focus on providing answers to the following questions: What practical experience/ background do you have in rural land management and rural surveying? What specific aspects of land and nature restoration are you interested in? Why do you want to study at the University of Aberdeen? How do you see a qualification in Restorative Land Management and Rural Surveying helping your future career aspirations? Where would you like to work?
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £10000 | Year 1 |
| EU | £22000 | Year 1 |
| England | £10000 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £10000 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £10000 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £10000 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £10000 | Year 1 |
| International | £22000 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Tuition fees given are at the full-time rate. The part-time fee rate for taught postgraduate programmes is 50% of the relevant full-time fee rate.
Sponsorship information
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of Global Engagement, Marketing and Recruitment
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX